Lenten Journal: The Dichotomy of Christ

"It is a remarkable dichotomy. In many ways, Clark is the most human of us all. Then...he shoots fire from the skies, and it is difficult not to think of him as a god. And how fortunate we all are that it does not occur to him." Batman (Superman/Batman #3)

The past few readings in my Lenten readings have focused on the servanthood of Christ as revealing God as God's true self. Henri Nouwen writes, "In his servanthood God does not disfigure himself, God does not take on something alien to self, God does not act or in spite of the divine self. On the contrary, it is in God's servanthood that God chooses to reveal himself as God to us." It is in the dichotomy of Jesus, who becomes like a slave, that we see the true nature of God. God is found in servanthood.

It's hard to wrap my mind around that. I've talked about it before. I've written papers over it before. I have preached on it before; yet it is still a struggle to completely understand this dichotomy. Jesus is both divine and human, yet his divineness is expressed through his humanness. It is as if saying Superman is expressed as Superman through his alter ego of Clark Kent. In the perceived weakling, Clark Kent, the divinely inspired Kryptonian is revealed. It is truly a strange dichotomy. The greatest of preists' is expressed as the greatest through being the least. Christ lifts himself up by lowering himself. Is it in his humility that others were able to understand who God is? Is that what it means to be the presence of Christ?

As a minister, it is hard to understand lowering one's self. Ministers are often lifted up either by themselves or by their congregation. Many fall prey to the seductive serpent who says "Money, power, love, praise...these are of the Father." Christians lift themselves up in their piety. They tout their lifestyles and glorify poverty or glorify lavishness. We are not the most humble of people. It feels against our nature. Yet, we are told to humble ourselves like a child, like a slave, like the least, so that the kingdom of God may be fulfilled.

Is it possible for us to truly humble ourselves in a church system that flourishes on bigger and better?

Is it possible for me to truly minister and be the presence of Christ without emptying myself? Without lowering myself in a radical way? Is it possible for me to move beyond my ego, my worry, my fear of what others will say or think? Is it possible?

Perhaps it is in knowing, learning to be content with whatever I have. For I know what it is like to have little and I know what it is like to have plenty. In any circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:11b-13). Perhaps it is in the prayer, "Lord, I abandon myself to you." "Lord, I shall gratefully accept everything that pleases you. Let your will be done."

In the end, it is the dichotomy of Christ that humbles me.